Psyllium husk powder is commonly offered at around 40, 60, 80 and 100 mesh. Some mills will grind finer or to a custom particle profile on request.
Mesh tells you how fine the powder is. The higher the number, the finer the particles. The right choice depends on how you will mix, fill or bake with it.
What mesh means
Mesh refers to the number of openings per linear inch in a test sieve. A 40 mesh sieve has larger openings than a 100 mesh sieve. Powder described as "60 mesh" should mostly pass through a 60 mesh sieve.
"Mostly" is the problem. One mill may mean 90% passes, another may mean 98%. Your spec should state the sieve standard, the mesh, and the minimum share that must pass, for example "not less than a stated percentage through a 60 mesh sieve".
How mesh affects use
- Around 40 mesh: coarser powder that still has some flake texture. Often used where a quick gel is not wanted, or for loose retail packs.
- Around 60 mesh: a common middle choice for food and drink mixes.
- Around 80 mesh: finer, disperses faster and suits capsules, tablets and smooth drinks.
- Around 100 mesh and finer: very fine, used where smooth texture, fast dispersion or high fill weight matters.
Trade-offs of finer powder
Finer powder hydrates and thickens faster. That helps in a drink, but it can also clump if added to liquid too quickly. Fine powder also flows less freely and can be dustier to handle.
Grinding adds a step, and very fine grinding can generate heat. Ask how the mill controls this. Fine powder is also harder to inspect by eye, so lab tests matter more.
Grinding does not change purity. A fine powder made from 85% husk is still an 85% product. Always state the husk grade as well as the mesh. The grades are explained in what the psyllium purity grades mean.
Ask for samples of two adjacent meshes and run them on your own line or recipe. Capsule fill weight, drink texture and dough handling can change noticeably between meshes. A short trial saves a container of the wrong product.
What to put in your spec
Write the particle size into the contract as carefully as the purity. For the general method, see writing an agri product specification.
- Husk purity grade used for the powder.
- Mesh size, sieve standard and minimum percentage passing.
- Optional maximum share of very fine particles, if dust or flow matters to you.
- Swell volume, moisture, ash and microbiology, as for husk.
- Pack type, since fine powder needs a well-sealed liner.
How we help
We source husk powder from Unjha mills that grind in-house and can hold a particle size from lot to lot. We have samples sieve-tested at an NABL-accredited lab and check the shipped lot against them. Ask for a free sourcing review.